Prairie burner and extinguisher



om 9 i 47 t c 0 d e t n e a DI mm A L E D N s J 2 7 H m N PRAIRIE BURNERAND EXTINGUISHER.

(Application filed Dec. 16, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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N0. 6H,7l2. Patented Oct. 4, I898. J. SINDELAR.

PRAIRIE BURNER AND EXTINGUI SI'IER.

(Application filed Dec. 16, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

N0. 6H,7I2. Patented Oct. 4, I898. J. SINDELAR.

PRAIRIE BURNER AND EXTINGUISHER.

(Application filed Dec. 16, 1897.) (No Model 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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NITEDI STATES ATENT Fries.

JOSEPH SINDELAR, OF IPSWICH, SOUTH DAKOTA.

'PRAIRIE BURNER AND EXTINGUISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,712, dated October4, 1898.

Application filed December 16, 1897. Serial No. 662,210. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JosEPH SINDELAR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ipswich, in the county of Edmunds and State'of South Dakota,have invented a new and useful Prairie B urner and Extinguisher, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for removing obnoxious growths-suchas stubble, Russian thistle, and grass-by burning and which can be usedto burn a swath to prevent the spread of prairie-fires and as aprairiefire extinguisher.

In its organization the machine combines a burner, brushes to centralizethe cinders and burning'embers, means for wetting the said brushes, aroller for crushing the line of cinders and embers,'a fan for creating aforced draft, and an arrester for the sparks and cinders blown forwardby the fan.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to thefollowing description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings and the corresponding reference letters and numerals in thesaid description and the several views of the draw- 1ngs.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the invention.Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the machine. Fig. 3 is a planview of the frame. Fig. 4: is a detail view of one of the brushes. viewof the burner. Fig. 6 is a detail'view of the fan.

The frame of the machine is tubular or formed from gas-pipe andcomprises side bars A, end bars a a, and an approximately V or trussshaped bar A, the several bars being secured together by appropriatefittings in the usual manner. A box B is fitted upon the forward portionof the frame and is closed at the top by a wire-screen cover 0, whichprevents the escape of sparks and cinders. A guard or wing D is hingedto the front end bar a and swings inward at its lower edge to ride overthe stubble and other growth and retain the fire within the confines ofthe machine. Side guards E are adjustably connected with the sides ofthe box B and are adapted to have their lower edges trail upon or comeclose to the ground, so as Fig. 5 is a detail,

to prevent the escape of fire when removing stubble and other growths bymeans of the burner. These guards E can be removed at will and arebraced from outward movement The handle F suitable means may be providedfor hitching a team to the machine for pushing it by horse power overthe field.

The brushes G are oppositely disposed, be ing suspended from the endportions of the V or truss bar A and incline from the outer to theirinner ends to sweep the cinders toward the center, so as to be brushedand pressed into the ground by the roller H, located opposite the spacebetween the inner ends of the said brushes and connected to the middleportion of the bar A by springrods h. The tufts of the brushes are wireor may be of any good pliable material, wire being preferable, becausefireproof, and are kept Wet by means of a cross-pipe I, suitablyconnected by means of pipe 1' with a tank J. A bridle or band g isfitted to the tufts to limit the length of their working ends, and awire 9 is attached to the bridle and extends within convenient reach, soas to be pulled upon to move the bridle upward to lengthen the workingends ofthe brushes. End barsp project vertically from the brush-headsand pass through keepers g on the bar A and are connected at their upperends by a cross-bar 9 A lever 2 is pivotally attached to the end bar a,passes through an opening in the crossbar 9 and extends withinconvenient reach to be operated, so as to move the brush vertically orlaterally or both, as required. order to admit of the free adjustmentsof the brushes, the pipes i have a joint or length a" of hose-pipe.

The burner consists of a horizontal pipe K,

having a series of flame orifices or jets 70, side I00 standards It, anda cross-bar k connecting the upper ends of the side standards. Anoilreservoir is mounted upon the upper end of one of the side standardsand supplies the pipe K with a hydrocarbon to feed the flame when theburner is in operation. The burner is vertically adjustable, being movedby means of the lever L. The standards 7; move in suitable keepers 3 onthe side bars A, a brace 4 being provided for the standard carrying theoil-reservoir. A shutter 5, hinged to the pipe K, has its forward orfree edge portion bent and adapted to extend in front of the flameorifices or jets it to extinguish the flame when required. A rod 6 isattached to the shutter to facilitate the operation of the same.

The fan M, located between the burner and the brushes, comprises a shaft0, having arms or spiders 0, to which are attached Wings 0, and a caseN, the latter having a longitudinal slot or passage or for the escape ofthe blast. The case is sheet metal formed into cylindrical shape, theedge portions being bent outward to provide the passage n, and ismounted upon the shaft 0, so as to turn freely thereon to change therelative position .of the passage to vary the direction of the blast.Alevern is attached to the case and projects within convenient reach tobe operated to move or turn the case N. A stop n engages with teeth onthe lever 42 and holds the latter in the required position. A valve orgate 7 is hinged to the case and is adapted to vary the size of thepassage or, so as to control the quantity of the blast or cut it offentirely. A wire 8 is attached to the gate 7 as a convenient means foroperating the same.

The tank J, besides having the pipes 2' connected therewith, has a thirdpipe 9 running therefrom, terminating in a hose connection 10, having asuitable nozzle to be used as re quired for extinguishing any flame orfire in the wake of the machine.

The machine is supported upon groundwheels P and a caster-wheel Q, thelatter being movable upon the middle portion of the bar A. A sprocketwheel or rim R on the axle p, or attached to one of the ground-wheels soas to rotate therewith, is connected by sprocket-chain 1' with asprocket-pinion S on the shaft 0, so as to actuate the fan as themachine is moved over the field or ground.

When it is desired to remove undesirable growths and effectually destroythem, the burner is lighted and properly adjusted and the machine ispushed or advanced over the ground, the burner consuming the growth, theflame being intensified by means of the blast of air from the fan. Thebrushes operating in the rear of the burner gather the cinders and theburning embers to the center, when the roller I-I crushes and pressesthem into the ground. The side guards E prevent the escape of the fireand its spread beyond the swath burned by the machine.

The foregoing is the preferable disposition of the parts.

Obviously changes in the form, proportion,

and the minor details of construction may be made to adapt the machinefor special uses without materially departing from the essence of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Amachine for destroying prairie-grass and vegetable growths comprising aburner, means operating in the rear of the burner to get the burningembers and cinders in a line, and a crusher for pressing the cinders andembers into the ground, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A machine for the purposes specified, comprising a burner, brushestraveling in the rear of the burner to gather the cinders in a line, anda roller to crush the said cinders, substantially as described.

3. A machine for the purposes specified, comprising a burner, brushestraveling in the rear of the burner and having their inner endsseparated, and a roller located opposite the space between the innerends of the said brushes for the purpose described and carried byyielding supports, substantially as set forth.

4:- A machine for the purposes specified, comprising a burner, andlaterally-adj ustable brushes, substantially as described.

5. A machine for the purposes specified, comprising a burner, andvertically-adjustable brushes arranged at an angle to the line of draftof the machine to gather the cinders in a line, substantially as setforth.

6. A machine for the purposes specified, comprising a burner, brushes,and means for both vertically and laterally adjusting the said brushes,substantially as specified.

7. A machine for the purposes specified, having a burner and anoil-reservoir rigidly connected, and means for adjusting the burner andthe oil-reservoir vertically, sub.- stantially as described.

8. A machine for the purposes specified, having a burner, and a shutterunder the control of the operator to decrease or extinguish the flame ofthe burner, substantially as de scribed.

9. A machine for the purposes set forth, having a burner, a fan, and abox having selfadjusting side guards, and having a screencloth top,substantially as described.

10. A machine for the purposes set forth, having a burner,self-adjusting side guards, and a hinged wing for closing the spacebetween the front ends of the said side guards, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a machine for the purposes specified, having a burner, and a fan,the fan-case having a longitudinal opening in its side, and means foradjusting the fan-case to change the direction of the blast,substantially as described.

12. In a machine for the purposes specified, having a burner, a fan, thefan-case having a longitudinal opening in its side, and a gate forcontrolling the said opening to vary the quantity of the blast,substantially as described.

13. In a machine for the purposes set forth, having a burner, a fanhaving a blast-discharge in the side of the case, a gate for controllingthe said blast-discharge, and means for turning the case on its support,substantially as and for the purpose described.

14:. In a machine for the purpose described, a brush, and means forWettin g the brush, substantially as specified.

15. In a machine for the purpose described, a brush, means for adjustingthe brush, and a pipe having a flexible joint for conveying fluid to thebrush from a tank, substantially as described.

16. A machine for the purposes specified, having brushes and a tank,pipes for conveying fluid from the tank to the brushes, and a third pipehaving connection with the tank and designed to be used as required,substantially as set forth.

17. A machine for the purposes set forth, comprising a burner, a fan inthe rear of the burner, oppositely-disposed brushes traveling in therear of the fan, means for wetting the brushes, and a roller operatingin the space opposite the inner ends of the brushes, substantially asset forth.

18. A machine of the class described, comprising a movable bottomlesscasing adapted to pass over the ground and constituting acombustion-chamber, and a revolving roller journaled in rear of theapparatus and adapt ed to extinguish the fire as the apparatus advances.

19. The combination with a traveling burner, of a device arranged inrear thereof constructed to receive and distribute water and adapted totravel on, the ground, and a Water-tank for supplying water to saiddevice.

20. A structure adapted to inclose vegetable matter which is to beburned and constituting a combustion-chamber, said structure comprisinga top, adjustable sides, and a pivoted gate at one end. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH SINDELAR.

Witnesses:

W. J. HOPE, J. WEBSTER LEWIS.

